Device and method for accurate delivery of an active agent
AssigneeDurect Corporation
InventorsEdward Gillis, Andrew Poutiatine, James Filice, Peter Wickman, John Culwell, John Dinka
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Abstract
Implantable delivery devices (1) for accurately controlling release of an agent therefrom and for preventing release of the agent during storage, prior to use. The devices include a reservoir (3) for storing the agent, a driving means for driving the agent from the reservoir (3) and a valving and control mechanism (10) which is positively actuatable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.
Claims28
An implantable device for accurate delivery of an agent, said device comprising:
- a housing (2) including a reservoir (3) for containing the agent;
- a valving and control mechanism (10) fitted at least partially within said housing (2) and capable of assuming an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein said valving and control mechanism (10) closes off said reservoir (3) when in said closed configuration, thereby preventing leakage of the active agent during storage in said device;
- and wherein said valving and control mechanism (10) opens said reservoir (3) to a flow path when in said open configuration, thereby permitting controlled delivery of the active agent.
A method of storing an agent in an implantable delivery device substantially leak free, and of controllably delivering the agent from the device, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a delivery device having a housing (2) surrounding a reservoir (3) containing the agent;
- means for driving the agent from the reservoir (3);
- and a valving and control mechanism (10) adjacent the exit orifice of the reservoir and being positively actuatable between a closed configuration, in which the agent is prevented from being delivered from the reservoir, and an open configuration, in which the agent is allowed to pass from the reservoir (3) through a flow path and out of the device;
- positioning the valving and control mechanism (10) in the closed configuration during storage of the device, to prevent outflow of the agent;
- and
- actuating the valving and control mechanism (10) to assume the open configuration to allow the agent to flow out of the reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.